‘Um, good evening,’ Lilian said, uncharacteristically bashful. ‘Sorry we’re late. There were delays on the railway.’ She gave an awkward laugh. ‘When aren’t there these days?’
‘I can’t remember the last time I caught a train that arrived when it was supposed to,’ Bobby said, forcing a laugh too.
She went forward to embrace her sister, and felt some of the tension leave Lilian’s body.
‘Don’t worry,’ she whispered. ‘It’ll be all right. I’m here.’
‘Thanks, Bob,’ Lilian whispered back.
Bobby took her sister’s hand to lead her to their father, who still stood by his chair with an inscrutable expression on his face.
‘Dad, here’s our Lil.’ She summoned a smile. ‘Now you’ve got both your little whirlwinds at home again. Do you think you can stand it?’
Rob remained silent for a moment.
‘Aye,’ he said at last. ‘Aye, I reckon I can put up with the pair of you a spell.’ His eyes flickered to his daughter’s stomach, and Bobby noticed him flinch. ‘Come over to the fire, eh? You don’t want to catch a chill.’
Lilian beamed, and threw herself at him for a hug. ‘I missed you, Dad.’
‘All right. No need to make a fuss,’ he said, a smile flickering on his lips. ‘Good to see you, love.’
Lilian drew back, turning to Tony. ‘I, er, brought someone to meet you.’
Tony was still lingering by the door, looking uncertain what to do. Bobby gave him a nod of encouragement, hoping he’dremember her advice to turn on the charm when he came face to face with her dad.
He took the hint, and strode forward to shake his new father-in-law by the hand.
‘It’s a pleasure to meet you properly, sir,’ he said. ‘These are two fine girls you’ve raised.’
‘I know it.’ Rob regarded the younger man icily. ‘Found yoursen a job yet?’
‘Not yet, but soon, I hope.’ Tony suddenly remembered the parcel in his hand, and held it out. ‘I got these off a mate. Wills’ Whiffs – Lil said you enjoyed the occasional cigar. I thought after we’d had tea, we could leave the girls to chat and go to the pub for a smoke and a pint.’
Bobby smiled approvingly. He was really trying. Her dad still looked icy but he had taken the gift of cigars, and she was sure a slight thaw had crept in.
‘I’m buying,’ Tony said when Rob remained silent.
‘Huh. Wonder you can afford it, with a wife and a—’ He glanced again at Lilian’s stomach, and again Bobby noticed the obvious flinch. ‘With a wife to support and no money coming in.’
Tony’s shoulders sagged, and Bobby leapt to his rescue.
‘Oh, I don’t think Tony’s as destitute as all that,’ she said, as brightly as she could. ‘Go on, Dad, you’ll enjoy it. Besides, I want Lil to myself to help make up the bed in my room for her and Tony. I didn’t have time earlier.’
‘Hmm.’ Rob glanced at the cigars in his hand. ‘Well, happen a beer or two wouldn’t go amiss, since the womenfolk are determined to evict us.’
Bobby and Lilian both beamed at him. Tony, meanwhile, looked a combination of relieved and terrified. It was clear that while he welcomed the thaw in his father-in-law’s attitude, an evening at the pub tête-à-tête was far from his idea of a good time. The edge seemed to have been taken off the atmosphere,however, and Tony took a seat opposite Rob by the fire. Lilian went to whisper something to him before following Bobby to the kitchen.
‘How’s your little godson: Don’s boy?’ they heard Tony ask. ‘I saw him and his dad last week. He’s a fine chap.’
‘Aye, he is that,’ Rob said, with a very small smile.
Bobby nudged Lilian. ‘Good choice of conversation topic,’ she whispered.
‘I was trying to remember what Bradford friends they had in common, and I remembered you saying Dad couldn’t get enough of hearing about Don’s baby,’ Lilian whispered back.
‘That went as well as we could have hoped, don’t you think?’
Lilian put an arm round her sister’s waist. ‘Thanks to you acting as our fifth column here. I’m sure without you speaking up for us, Dad would have barred the door and never let Tony over the threshold – or me.’
